UFO sighted near Langley AFB in 1962

Summary

In June 1962, a U.S. Air Force pilot reported a glowing object with a thin black smoke trail resembling a meteor. The sighting occurred 10 miles northwest of Langley AFB, Virginia, and lasted just seven seconds. The observer, an experienced captain, described the object as an orange fireball descending in a straight line. Although initially considered a UFO, investigators concluded it was likely an astronomical phenomenon. The smoke trail remained visible for two minutes, prompting attention from air traffic control centers.

The official report classified it as a meteor, though no other sightings corroborated this. The pilot immediately reported to Washington Center, and the case was filed without further investigation. Despite the brief nature of the encounter, the detailed report and the seriousness with which it was handled reflect the Air Force's concern for any unidentified aerial phenomenon during that era. The case remains an example of how UFO reports were managed in the 1960s.